Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

UCLA is going to stuggle with keeping their front line (Joshua Smith/Tony Parker) out of Diddy Riese, keeping Shabazz eligable, and making the Wear twins more watchable. If they can do all those things they should win the conference but Zona should be able to compete with their front court. Kaleb T, B Ashley, Garrett, and Chol are going to be a rotation that can make some noise, not to mention Hill and Nick Johnson running on the wings. Sad that Turner could never get his head on straight or this team could have been making a final four run.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

Last year, a bunch of Kentucky fans gave me shit for wearing my KU shirt at the campgrounds last year... and then they said nicely "but it was a great game." One of my favorite memories of camping at Coachella last year. I hope we do well last year, but we lost to the French national team in an exhibition, so I'm not sure this is going to be nearly as good as last year.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

Originally Posted by HotHamWater

And I think UNM will be picked 3rd in the Mountain West this year, behind UNLV and San Diego State. Also really hoping that Steve Alford can pull a minor miracle and sign Aaron Gordon for the 2013 class. I'm pretty sure he's one of Arizona's top priorities (maybe THE priority), as well.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

Originally Posted by Chillzzz

UCLA is going to stuggle with keeping their front line (Joshua Smith/Tony Parker) out of Diddy Riese, keeping Shabazz eligable, and making the Wear twins more watchable. If they can do all those things they should win the conference but Zona should be able to compete with their front court. Kaleb T, B Ashley, Garrett, and Chol are going to be a rotation that can make some noise, not to mention Hill and Nick Johnson running on the wings. Sad that Turner could never get his head on straight or this team could have been making a final four run.

Josh Smith is such an enigma. Smith's weight is ultimately on him, but Ben Howland's laid back demeanor/style of coaching certainly isn't helping Smith develop. So much potential.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

Originally Posted by HotHamWater

I've always thought Washington was the leader. Who the fuck knows, though. He could do more thinking and his interests and priorities could change.

It would be nice to get Gordon at Arizona, but I think he sees the young big men and realizes he would be more of a focal point at UW. If I had to guess, Arizona's class ends up being a trio of Elliot Pitts, Keith Frazier and Rondae Jefferson. They would take Gordon for sure, but I feel they are prioritizing other targets at this point in time.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

I know that Gordon is actually seriously considering UNM, so I'm holding out a little hope for that. He has a good relationship with Steve Alford and the rest of the coaching staff, I guess he likes the opportunity that UNM gave to his brother, and he would definitely be the focal point of the entire team right away. He can get to the NBA from UNM, so that shouldn't be a big factor. He'll get to the NBA, and probably be a high draft pick, wherever he goes.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

Josh Smith is such an enigma. Smith's weight is ultimately on him, but Ben Howland's laid back demeanor/style of coaching certainly isn't helping Smith develop. So much potential.

I think this is the first time I've ever seen laid back demeanor/style of coaching in reference to Howland.

Seems to me the real issue here is Smith's own drive/desire/will (or lack thereof) to put in the work above and beyond the bare minimum. I try to stay objective, but Smith is an idiot if he thought that going home and sitting on his ass last summer was going to do anything other than derail his progression as a player.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

Originally Posted by flea73

I think this is the first time I've ever seen laid back demeanor/style of coaching in reference to Howland.

You missed that article about the players rolling balls the night before practice? Amongst other things? Howland almost got canned for his "hands off" approach. It's clear that discipline isn't his forte. Like I said though, it IS ultimately on Smith.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

Originally Posted by HotHamWater

I know that Gordon is actually seriously considering UNM, so I'm holding out a little hope for that. He has a good relationship with Steve Alford and the rest of the coaching staff, I guess he likes the opportunity that UNM gave to his brother, and he would definitely be the focal point of the entire team right away. He can get to the NBA from UNM, so that shouldn't be a big factor. He'll get to the NBA, and probably be a high draft pick, wherever he goes.

But, yeah, I'm expecting Washington until proven otherwise.

I was told over the weekend that Arizona is back in the picture with Gordon but it is currently 60/40 in favor of UW.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

I'm happy to see both of my teams (San Diego St. and UCLA) with pre-season rankings. Though for UCLA between the NCAA investigation (that's dragging on way too long) and now Shabazz's injury it's potentially going to be a long season.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

The Shabazz injury is concerning for sure. He's one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country and could wind up beiing their leading scorer. His game is ridiculous. I watched him in the Vegas AAU tournaments in 2011 and his athleticism and motor are off the chart.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

I watched Michigan State beat Kansas & Duke beat Kentucky last night in Atlanta. I've always wanted to see Duke - they are usually a powerhouse. The Kentucky fans sure love to drink! This is my macho sports week - NASCAR on Sunday, College Basketball on Tuesday, and NFL this Sunday. I better check to see if I'm still gay.

Re: College Hoops 2012-2013

7:31PM EST November 16. 2012 - The NCAA announced Friday that star UCLA freshman forward Shabazz Muhammad has been reinstated to play immediately for the Bruins after the university "acknowledged amateurism violations" in an appeal to the association.

In a statement, the NCAA wrote, "The university required the student-athlete to miss 10 percent of the season (three games) and repay approximately $1,600 in impermissible benefits. The NCAA agreed the actions taken by the university were sufficient. Because Muhammad has already sat out three games, he is now eligible to compete."

Minutes after the announcement, Muhammad tweeted through his Twitter account @phenom15balla, "#FREE".

In addition to what the NCAA has called other "pending issues," the association has spent more than a year investigation three unofficial recruiting visits Muhammad made to two schools – North Carolina and Duke – that were paid for by North Carolina-based financial adviser Ben Lincoln.

The Muhammads have claimed that Lincoln has been a family friend for five years. And Muhammad's attorney, Robert Orr, contends that Lincoln sought approval from the NCAA before paying for Muhammad's travel and lodging.

Orr also said that Muhammad had no knowledge of who paid for the trips and that his father, Ron Holmes, completed all requisite paperwork related to Lincoln paying for the recruiting visits.

Orr told USA TODAY Sports that the NCAA has requested thousands of pages of documents, including years worth of bank records and credit card statements. He said that Muhammad conducted two interviews with NCAA enforcement staff and that Holmes and Muhammad's mother, Faye Muhammad, interviewed with enforcement officials in early November.

"It is worse than an IRS audit," Orr told USA TODAY Sports in a telephone interview Thursday. "You at least have rights with the IRS audit. I'm waiting for the press to realize that the system, which is supposed to be for the best interest of these young men and women, absolutely abuses them. It is just outrageous."

In an email to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn elaborated on the timeline of the investigation. She said that the NCAA staff requested specific documents on July 31 but did not receive the majority of requested documents until September 25, followed by more information on October 10. She added that the NCAA staff was granted access to what she called "additional critical information" Nov. 1

Hours before UCLA opened its season Nov. 9, the NCAA ruled Muhammad ineligible because of what it called a violation of amateurism rules.

During Muhammad's recruitment, the NCAA informed schools recruiting Muhammad that there may be unresolved issues that would warrant further investigation, according to two college coaches familiar with Muhammad's recruitment. Some schools softened their recruitment or backed off almost entirely.
For UCLA, Muhammad, who played for Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, represents the crown jewel of a sterling recruiting class assembled to help lift coach Ben Howland's program back to national prominence. Greg Anthony, a college basketball analyst for CBS Sports who was born and raised in Las Vegas, told USA TODAY Sports that Muhammad is a "once-in-a-generation talent."

The following is the full NCAA statement:

The NCAA and UCLA have resolved the eligibility case of Shabazz Muhammad. UCLA acknowledged amateurism violations occurred and asked the NCAA on Friday afternoon to reinstate Muhammad. The university required the student-athlete to miss 10 percent of the season (three games) and repay approximately $1,600 in impermissible benefits. The NCAA agreed the actions taken by the university were sufficient. Because Muhammad has already sat out three games, he is now eligible to compete.

According to the facts of the case, which were agreed upon by the university and the NCAA staff, Muhammad accepted travel and lodging during unofficial visits to member schools. NCAA rules, which member schools create, state that student-athletes cannot receive benefits based on their athletic ability. NCAA amateurism rules are in place so that when student-athletes step onto the court, they are competing against other student-athletes who have met the same standards.

When a school discovers an NCAA rules violation has occurred, it must declare the student-athlete ineligible and may request the student-athlete's eligibility be reinstated. The NCAA staff reviews each student-athlete reinstatement request individually based on its own merits and set of specific facts.